Ford Asks Developers To Create Apps That Promote Fuel Efficiency

The need to reduce your carbon footprint is more important that ever before. One of the key areas targeted to help reduce that is to not just ask car drivers to create fuel-efficient cars but also instill a driving discipline that can help drivers save fuel. Ford Motor Company aims to do just that via its Personalized Fuel-Efficiency App Challenge, a contest that invites developers to create mobile applications to help customers optimize their "personal" fuel-economy performance.

Developers need to submit either Web or Android native applications that will interact with the data provided by the OpenXC platform that will be present in the car. OpenXC can be considered as the API to your car. Even if you do not have the car, resources are available for you to access sample OpenXC data in the platform and start writing the applications.

The contest is open for submissions from April 24 to July24. Judging will commence in August and the winners will be announced on September 10. The Grand Prize winner will take home $25,000 . The 2nd and 3rd prize winners will win $15,000 and $5,000 respectively.

Do keep in mind that the applications need to be distraction free, so do check up on In-Vehicle Approval Criteria from Ford for safe and nondistracting in-vehicle interfaces. Ford has made available a list of resources to get started with the OpenXC platform.

If you are looking for ideas, check out the Ideas Ford page. Even if you are not planning to develop an application, you can suggest ideas at this page. Ford will select the Top 10 Ideas and reward them with $100.

Check out the Contest Rules for important dates, eligibility and submission requirements.

About the author:Romin Irani
Romin loves learning about new technologies and teaching it to others. Follow me on Google+